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Tien is a finance lawyer specialising in structured trade, commodity finance and ship finance and has been based in the UAE for 15 years. Tien has been involved in a number of domestic and cross border trade finance and has been the lead lawyer in some of the largest regional transportation financings such as Abu Dhabi Midfield Terminal financing (2011) and Doha Metro Red Line financing (2013). His experience also includes the US$1.2 billion restructuring of a major UAE-based oil trader/shipowner (2012), one of the largest restructurings at the time in the regional oil trading sector. Tien's current matters also include representing the Swiss headquarters of a global bank in the restructuring of a UAE-based large oil trader (ongoing 2022).

More about Tien

Recognition

Ranked as a Band 1 individual in UAE Shipping by Chambers Global 2023 (and every year since 2017)

Ranked as a Leading Individual in UAE Shipping by EMEA Legal 500, 2020 & 2019

In Chambers Global 2021, a peer commented “I have a lot of respect for his depth of knowledge and dedication to the practice.”

Legal 500 2021 highlighted Tien as a notable name in the practice for vessel finance work and other transactional matters, including port projects.

Chambers Global UAE Shipping 2020 describes Tien as "very pre-eminent" and peers affirm that he is "a pleasure to work with"

Chambers Global 2019 highlighted Tien as a well-recognised ship finance lawyer in the region, who is described by his peers as a "solid practitioner" in the field. He stands out for his "expertise in yacht financing, as well as sale and purchase arrangements. His ship financing expertise is complemented by his skill in trade and commodity finance".

Chambers Global UAE Shipping 2017 says "Tien Tai is well regarded for shipping finance work in the UAE, having accrued years of experience handling cases across the region. He advises clients, including shipowners and services companies, on sophisticated transactions." One source mentioned "The one thing I always notice is that he has got a very nice manner. He is very good at seeing the bigger picture and his clients like that approach"

Tien is recommended in Chambers Global 2014 for Shipping. He receives widespread recognition for his knowledge of shipping finance issues. Sources describe him as "excellent - very user friendly and engaged" in Chambers Global 2014. He is also recommended for his hard-working, detail-oriented approach.

In Chambers 2013 for Shipping, one commentator remarked that he is a "very solid, very talented lawyer".

Tien is also recognised by Islamic Finance News as being a leading lawyer within Islamic Transport Finance. He was also awarded Ship and Marine Finance Lawyer of the Year - United Arab Emirates - The Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards 2013.

Along with Andrzej Czernis, Tien contributed the UAE chapter of Getting the Deal Through Ship Finance Handbook 2023, which contains international insights into all areas of finance and vessel ownership affecting the international shipping industry. It is available to download by clicking here.